Originally Posted by
ahsposo
Yes to both above. I find flat bars on the road hurt both my hands and my ass. Drop bars give your body options to move around.
Frame material is not really important compared to fit. Just like a pair of shoes, a bad fit will cause problems.
Depending on your physical condition and agility, you might find a road bike is not for you. It can take some time for your back muscles to adjust and HTFU to the crouched over riding position. After a while, you won't notice. I see many people on the Hybrid forum who want a hybrid because the road bike looks too crouched over. Six months later, they are looking for a road bike. Not all people who ride road bikes ride with a flat back. I think typical riding positions are more like 45º, and with different stem you can achieve more upright. We need a tread... "Show me your crouched riding position!"
Personally, I hate my hybrid :-(